I have been clenching my teeth for a long time. I’ve now got a loose tooth. My dentist also said I’ve got some mild gum disease and some receding gums. However, he thinks the gum recession is from the clenching because it is only by those teeth. He wants to do gum surgery to fix those. Is that a necessary thing? It doesn’t look that bad to me.
Kim
Dear Kim,
I would like you to get a second opinion from a periodontist. While it is true that clenching or grinding your teeth can cause receding gums, periodontal disease is the most common culprit. You mentioned you have gum disease. It’s important you make sure this isn’t more serious.
If gum disease is left untreated, it will cause significant problems, including bone loss which in turn leads to tooth loss. This isn’t a risk you want to take.
Surgery Free Gum Surgery
If you are worried about that idea of surgery, you may want to consider Pin-hole surgery. This allows you to repair your gums without a scalpel and is even a suture-free treatment using a special technique.
Replacing Your Tooth
I don’t know if the loose tooth is from the clenching, the gum disease, or a combination. This is another reason to ensure your gum disease isn’t more serious than your dentist indicated. Once you treat the gum disease, if your tooth cannot be saved, you will want to get a good replacement. I would like to suggest you get a dental implant. It is the closest to having a natural, healthy tooth again.
This blog is brought to you by Atlanta Dentist Dr. David Pumphrey.
